Gas BBQs

When deciding on a new BBQ one of the first big deciding factors is how large you want it to be. The more burners on a BBQ, the larger it will be to allow a wider variety and size of cooks. To help with this decision, get an accurate size of your BBQ entertaining area and how many people you will usually be cooking for.

Portable BBQs are smaller, lightweight models that can be transported easily. These models have one to three burners and can use a wide variety of fuel types. Portable BBQs are a great size for verandas and can cook comfortably for two to six people.

Small BBQs are the next size up with 3 to 4 burners and ability to cook for 10 to 14 people. These BBQs are a good size for balconies.

Larger BBQs may require more construction or even Installation. They take up more yard space but will often come with a storage cupboard, side tables, wok burner and more. They're great for feeding 15+ people, potentially entertaining the whole neighbourhood.

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Natural Gas both work as fuel for Gas BBQs. LPG Gas also known as propane is bought through refillable gas bottles then hooked up to a barbeque. Natural Gas is methane coming from natural gas pipelines that span most of Australia.

To use NG with a BBQ you will need it to be plumbed from the Natural Gas in a home's gas network. This exterior connection is not necessarily available in every home and may require a special installation. This process can be costly and once a BBQ is connected it can no longer be portable. On the plus side, a Natural Gas BBQ will never run out of gas unlike using LPG bottles which need to be swapped out when empty, avoiding those situations where they run out of gas mid cook. Natural Gas is also a cheaper fuel source in the long run with fewer harmful emissions.

The most popular gas source is LPG. Its bottles are compact and help make a BBQ setup more portable if needed.

Cooking with a Charcoal BBQ can give food a delicious, charred and smoky flavour. Gas BBQs are much more widely used due to their convenience and ease of use. With the right tricks and BBQ Accessories, you can use a Gas BBQ to produce Charcoal Grill flavours.

Wood chips can be purchased in a variety of fragrances and used in a smoker box. The smoker box can be placed below the grates of the BBQ to release smoke directly into the food as it cooks. Pellet smokers are used in a similar way to produce an even stronger smoky flavour. This process can be used to help season a Gas BBQ with smoke that traps it inside and imparts that classic smoky flavour to barbequed food.

Some Gas BBQs have an infrared heating element that helps sear food to produce a mouth watering char. Putting the lid down over the food for as long as possible will trap heat and help food develop richer charred flavours. Certain spices, salts, rubs and marinades can also be used to infuse smoky flavours into meals.

Once you have decided on the size of your BBQ, there are several other factors to consider. For the most versatile BBQ, it is recommended to split the cooking surfaces 50-50 between a grill plate and a hot plate. If you live in a coastal area you may want to look for enamel or stainless steel hotplates instead of cast iron, which are more prone to rusting.

When comparing BBQs it's worth comparing the design and build quality of the hood. Make sure it's nice and stable when opened and sturdy enough not to blow shut in the wind. Some hoods are double skinned which will increase insulation, stopping interior heat from making the outside too hot to touch or handle.

A BBQ exterior can come in paint, vitreous enamel and stainless steel finishes. Paint finishes will generally cost the least. Enamel and stainless steel are more durable than paint, which is prone to scratching and flaking. Stainless steel can become discoloured by heat and low quality steel is more likely to rust.